6 arrested after find of 638 dead protected birds, including 4 eagles

The Police have said this evening that over the last few days, searches in connection with the seizure of protected birds were made in Siggiewi, Rabat, Safi, Zurrieq and Kirkop by the Police at the Administrative Law Enforcement together with the Specialist Enforcement Branch of Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

6 men were arrested following the searches and are expected to be arraigned in Court in the coming days. Their ages range between 23 and 42 years.

In these searches, the Police said that they retrieved 638 protected birds, including 4 eagles, that were kept without the necessary permits and/or licenses.

During these searches a frozen weasel, tools related to the embalming of birds, 2 chest freezers, cartridges and various weapons were also removed.

The Police said that during these investigations it resulted that 251 birds, which were declared to the authorities, were not accounted for.